Students take time to visit with residents of Hillcrest/Fremont apartments

FORT MORGAN — — Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness are the greatest, and the athletes, coaches and a parent volunteer at Fort Morgan High School proved that once again on Wednesday as they visited the residents of the Hillcrest/Fremont apartments.

The visit to the residents is a triennial event. Hillcrest/Fremont apartment manager John Hindman recommends names of residents that might need a little extra help to the organizers of the event.

"A lot of it's on their income and whether they have family here or not. Those are the ones that could use it," said Hindman of the criterion that he uses to select residents.

The Hillcrest/Fremont apartments are populated by residents who are either 62 or older, or are disabled. There are 126 apartments between the complexes. Hindman said he tries to pick some different residents each time the kids come, so that the joy gets spread around.

The students then pool together to raise funds and purchase supplies for the residents. The items provided include basic toiletries — toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, etc. — and canned and boxed food items.

"Lots of time it's not about what is in the box. It's just about getting something unexpected. It's sort of like getting a letter from someone you don't expect it from," said Hindman.

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Cindy Schneider, the parent volunteer and a driving force behind organizing the event thinks that it is a tremendous opportunity for both the student athletes and the residents of Hillcrest.

"It's great for the residents, they can meet the kids that they read about in the paper or hear about on the radio and the kids learn how to give back to the community," said Schneider.

Schneider also stated that it is also helpful to the kids when they start putting together college applications.

"The kids can also use the time spent on this project to add to their scholarship, college and National Honor Society applications, so it benefits them as well," she said.

"I started the project in 2007 to get my own kids, that were out for sports, more involved with community service projects — kids are more apt to help if their peers are helping, too," said Schneider. Schneider said that she is the only parent involved right now, but would love to get other parents involved as well.

The athletes delivered the boxes to residents on Wednesday evening. This time around they delieved 37 boxes. They also included a $250 gift card to Walmart for the residents delivered to Hindman.

The funds for the event are completely provided by the students.

"Eric Kembel handed in a jar full of change as his donation. This project is funded by the kids donations — it's strictly voluntary on their part. They can donate five cents or $10. The change totaled $72.30," said Schneider.

The kids contribute to this project by shopping for the residents with the money that they have donated and then they box all of the items up and deliver them.

Each time, the athletes from that season are involved. This time, members of the girls and boys basketball teams, as well as the wrestling team were involved as well as their coaches — Jim Krekemier, Chad Unrein and Spike Reynolds are the headcoaches for each team respectively.

Fort Morgan High School has been helping out the residents of Hillcrest/Fremont for the past seven and a half years, and there is no end is sight to the charitable program.

"So nice, especially after the kids leave the people always come over and say it was so nice. It gives them a different view of teenagers. It's really rewarding to our residents. It's not just the stuff in the box. Lots of time it's a friendship that develops. We have kids that come back every year and ask to deliver to the same people," said Hindman.

The Fort Morgan athletes will be back out one more time this school year, with the spring athletes. That will include members from the track and field, baseball, girls' soccer, and tennis teams. And you can bet that it will be a rewarding experience for them, and the residents.

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